Západné Tatry

Beware of significant warming during the day - snow will become heavier, possible spontaneous avalanches

Beware of significant warming during the day - snow will become heavier, possible spontaneous avalanches

Moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree) is declared in the High and Western Tatras. During the last period of snowfall, up to 30 cm of new snow was added, which was transported by strong winds mainly to the southeastern slopes. Thursday's and Friday's warming caused significant avalanche activity. The avalanche-prone situation (level 3) stabilised slightly due to the warming of the last day and the overnight freeze. The main problem will be wet snow on S exposures, especially on steep sunny slopes. Beware, this situation will occur due to the significant warming already in the morning on the eastern slopes. The current situation on the ground requires good decisions, avoid steep places, beware of a larger layer of melted snow, but also avoid places where the blown snow from the last snowfall is evident and did not fall with the avalanche in the previous days. In the event of an avalanche release, avalanches of medium to large size, even spontaneous avalanches, are a risk.

Saturday's weather will be influenced by an outbreak of high pressure, we expect very warm and sunny weather. Temperatures will reach positive numbers even at the highest altitudes. A crust, or ice layer, has formed on the surface of the snow cover on the S side. On the S side of the mountains, the snow still retains a powdery character. Sunny weather and warming will cause the snow cover to become wetter and the cohesion of the individual layers to decrease, especially as midday approaches. The snow cover remains well below average, especially at altitudes up to 1500 m above sea level.

rising during the day as the day warms up, falling as the evening approaches.